While aero road bikes are now largely equipped with disc brakes, Cervelo did build the spectacular 2019 S3 Frameset for rim brake holdouts. Other than engineering the carbon lay-up for Direct Mount rim brakes versus the frame and fork load requirements of disc braking, the main truly Cervelo technical, integrated and aerodynamic features are essentially the same. Fast, light, and comfortable as any aero road bike we have ridden, the Cervelo S3 Frameset offers you a platform for building out the aero road bike of your dreams. Cervelo has made the S3 rim available in Limited Edition colors, with this Emerald/Navy/Green being our favorite. The special colorway was produced in limited numbers, so if you want one, don't wait too long, because when they are gone, they are gone.

Looking for a new road frameset that not only delivers the handling and performance you live for, but is also among the most aerodynamically efficient designs on the market? Look no further as the redesigned Cervelo S3 delivers across the board, and features a beautifully integrated, multi-piece head tube, steerer, stem and AB09 carbon handlebar design. The stem and fork join in a split quill-style system with full internal routing that is manageable, though takes some study and/or experience. A clean and easy to use spacer system allows you to set your stem height in small increments. As popular and respected as the R-series bikes are both within and outside Cervelo, the S-series truly represents the core engineering and aerodynamic values of the Canadian company. The current TrueAero tube and overall frame design represent the evolution of NACA-derived aero shapes and the application of flatback, or Kamm-tail design.

Perhaps the best way to think of this is consider the NACA shapes as variations of elliptical or oval airfoils, as commonly seen on airplanes. The Kamm-tail is essentially a foil with a squared-off back side. This is much more effective at speeds that bicycles attain, with the overall oval widening slightly as from the front to back. This increases the time the frontal or angled onrushing air stays cleanly on the tube and releases cleanly off the back, while providing a push, from what is known as the laminar boundary layer.

The aerodynamic advantages of this are clear, but the focus of the engineering is on how to bring each tube shape and junction together to create a complete aero package. Yet that is only a portion of the S3, or any other frameset story. The assembly needs to be a performance bike that offers torsional headtube and bottom bracket stiffness- which is augmented by the flatback design, along with proper geometry, an appropriate level of vertical compliance. Overall safety is, of course, paramount. So the sleek lines and optimal integration you see from the outside houses a lay-up of various carbon fiber types that deliver safety, strength, power transfer, control and a connection to the road that inspires. Of course some of the engineering can be seen as well, with the Asymmetric BBright system and chainstays the most obvious. The Direct Mount rim brake aero fork and frame interface is both visually impressive and aerodynamically sound, while the partial seattube cutout carries the air that clings to the frame and guides it as cleanly as possible beyond the rear wheel.

The Direct Mount rim brake design of the full carbon S3 fork and frame has allowed the the designers to improve tire clearance (up to 28mm) and overall dropout stiffness, while improving the aero principles of the fork and rear stays while making them stiffer. Cable/housing routing for the frameset is internal for both electronic and mechanical drivetrains, with the S3 employing the full Aero Cable Management system. A unique aspect of this is the AB09 aero handlebar and the ST29 Stem combination, that appear as standard equipment but are designed to work together to bring the housing and wires underneath the bar to pass into the stem and down the headtube to the frame. Yes, this requires a new headset bearing tension system and some deft assembly, but with either standard cables or eTube Di2 wires and hydraulic hose set-up this is practical, and once assembled once becomes much easier to manage. The end result is a super clean bar and stem set-up that features your levers and tape. Nothing else- unless you add satellite shift buttons at some point. It is impressive, and improves aero efficiency to the tune of 6.9 Watts over the previous version of the S3.

If you are interested in discussing geometry or a complete bike build based on this S3 Frameset, please call us at 800.627.6664 or email us at sales@excelsports.com. We highly recommend you allow Excel Sports or an authorized Cervelo dealer to assemble your new S3 Limited Edition Frameset.